Natural Smiles • Aug 22, 2017
It’s hard for you to explain why, but you’ve noticed that your gums are changing over the years. You’re not really sure how it happen, but this physical change makes you uncomfortable and self-conscious. When it comes to your gums, it’s important to act quickly and not let the problem fester.
At Natural Smiles, we have a variety of ways to give you a great smile, from general dentistry to cosmetic dental services. We are always accepting new patients. Give us a call today at (502) 414-0146 or use the online form to request an appointment.
The problem with disappearing gums
Every once in awhile we get a new patients at Natural Smiles who comes to us with substantial gum recession. In some cases, they aren’t even away they have a problem. Gum recession is a cosmetic problem and oral health problem, as your gums are meant to protect the roots of your teeth. Advanced gum recession can expose the roots of the teeth and put your teeth at risk of failing. Both men and women can get gum recession, though the problem is more common in women.
Cause of gum recession
Like so many other dental problems, there is no one specific cause of gum recession. There are a number of factors that can cause gums to recede. Here are just a few reasons your gums can rede:
- Gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and gums recede when the infection reaches the tissue. Gum disease also has been linked to serious overall health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
- Genes. Unfortunately, gum recession is another problem that can be linked back to your family. It’s estimated that as many as 30 percent of people face an increased risk of gum problems because of genetics.
- Hormonal changes. We mentioned that women face a higher risk of gum recession. Studies show that women sometimes experience recession during pregnancy or menopause — two phases where they experience hormonal changes.
- Stress. Patients who grind or clench their teeth (symptoms of TMJ disorder) can cause their gums to recede. Unfortunately, clenching and grinding are involuntary habits.
This are just a few reasons you may face gum recession. But regardless of the reason, you need to fix the problem. At Natural Smiles, we have a new advanced way to treat gum recession.
Treat gum recession without scalpels and sutures
A few years ago, the only to treat gum recession was with aggressive oral surgery and the use of scalpels and sutures. The surgeon would take a portion of soft tissue from the roof of the mouth and then stitch in it place on the gums. This process is about as pleasant as it sounds. Patients had length recovery periods, and there was no guarantee the treatment would take.
That’s why now we offer the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique. Instead of cutting the tissue, we simply make a hole in the gums and guide the gums into a better position. Once the gums are in place, we place collagen strips to make sure the gums do not move. This entire treatment can be completed in one visit, and you won’t have the level of post-operative sensitivity you’d have with traditional gum surgery.
No more disappearing gums
At Natural Smiles, we want you to be happy with your smile. And we want to give you treatments that will last, make your feel great, and make you look great. The Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique is just treatment that helps us accomplish this goal. We would love to work with you. Give us a call today at (502) 414-0146 or use the online form to request an appointment.